Lord Buddha in Divine Austerity

A pattachitra art defines the rich culture and heritage of Orissa, being one of the oldest and most popular art forms of the place. It is characterized by chitrakars depicting popular mythological themes and thus painting out the best of their emotional expressions as per the scene depicted. This Buddha pattachitra painting depicts all the iconic features of this art form, portraying Lord Gautama Buddha seated in lotus posture having the tree visible behind him at the top to be the Bodhi tree, where he achieved enlightenment. The vitarka hand gesture made by his right hand is symbolic of him teaching his disciples the ways and the correct path of enlightenment.
One may note that a pattachitra is painted with naturally derived colours maintaining rigidity in its use. The bright yellow coloured skin of Lord Buddha is a representation of his divine austerity and the inner consciousness that glows bright like the sun from within him. The large white aureole behind his head complements the purity of his pearl white robe, painted here in easy pleats, such that it flows soft on his body. Pattachitras are characteristic of focusing on the primary image without any background. A similar style is maintained here by keeping the viewer’s attention on the image of Lord Buddha and filling the background with decent motifs of white flowers.
The half-open eyes are symbolic of his existence in both the worlds with the pink lips smiling in the success of his enlightenment. The colour contrasts of all the elements of the painting beautifully complement each other. A similar shade pattern of green and brown at the top and bottom of this painting forms a balanced frame to the Lord Buddha figure.